A Review of Blankets

By Craig Thompson

As an avid comic book reader, I’m used to reading about overly-muscular men in spandex; women saving the world in fishnets and pin-up worthy poses, and splash pages of explosions. Perhaps that’s why one may think it odd that Craig Thompson’s surreal, six-hundred page auto-biographical graphic novel, Blankets, struck such a strong chord with me. An intimate retelling of Thompson’s childhood and adolescence under the roof of his fundamentalist Christian parents’ home, Blankets provides its reader with an honesty rarely explored by authors.

Coming of age, religion, and sex are but a few controversial topics explored by Thompson in detailed and beautifully illustrated panels of black and white. Growing up and often bullied and harassed at school in the bland farmlands of the Midwest, Thompson escapes the pressures and threats of the world he resides in with dreams of becoming renowned for his drawings as a child. Time and time again, however, he is shot down for his hopes by the condescending adults in his life, like educational and bible school teachers. He grows into a kind and open-minded boy however, and by his senior year of high school, he no longer dreads the yearly bible camp he is forced to attend yearly, by finding solace in the other outcasts there as well.

And with the introduction of the sweet and whimsical Raina, Thompson’s tale evolves from a story of himself to that of his and hers; his first love. The story takes place mostly at Raina’s home in Michigan, where the author spends two weeks visiting. Between frolicking in the snow, sneaking into each other’s bedrooms only to sleep beside one another nightly, and caring for Raina’s mentally challenged adopted siblings and her niece, the two fall in love despite the factors keeping them apart, like distance. Craig and Raina forge a relationship as lovely and heartfelt as the homemade blanket (the source of the graphic novel’s title) Raina presents to him upon his arrival.

In a raw and earnest telling of family, God, and first love, Thompson spins a story sure to capture the hearts of those who don’t often pick up graphic novels and passionate fans that do alike. With Thompson’s sincere musings and stunning visuals of feathery snow, swirly splash pages, and graceful angels, along with a solid story, Blankets will create warmth in your heart very much like that of an actual coverlet.

Review by Natalie R.